Monday, June 29, 2009

Delicious Reading: A Homemade Life

I don't know where I've been, but somehow I have just started reading Orangette, the uber-famous food blog by Molly Wizenberg. And I only really started reading the blog, because I kept seeing her book, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, everywhere. After eyeing it for months, I finally picked it up a few weeks ago and delved in.

Most of the reviews that I've seen so far have been warm and glowing, just like the entire feel of the book, but I have seen a few sparks of criticism for the fact that we were reading a "memoir" from someone supposedly too young to have that many memories. I can definitely see that point, especially since there was a time or two in the book where I wondered to myself if the author was actually a kinda boring person (I mean, come on - she talks about having only been drunk once, and she's sometimes a - gasp - vegetarian...), but those thoughts were pretty easily brushed aside. Because the thing is, the book is
really lovely.

It's comforting and cozy, and almost every chapter left my stomach growling. I love how she mixes totally old school, suburban recipes from her parent's friends with more trendy, foodie-ish things to try, and for as many cooking memoirs as I have read in the last few years, I have never actually taken so many must-try recipes from the pages. (People, hear me now - the slow roasted tomatoes are to die for, and ridiculously versatile.)

This book is definitely worth picking up, as a feel-good escape if nothing else, and a must-read for all of those who love food writing and follow the scene online. And come by my apartment this weekend if you want to try some of her banana bread with chocolate chips and crystalized ginger. I know it's going to be delectable.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Hungry Dog said...

I've been wondering about this book too. I've checked out Orangette and mostly like it. Nice review.

11:31 AM  
Anonymous Erin said...

Thanks - you should definitely pick it up. :)

3:26 PM  
Anonymous Zoe said...

I've been seeing this book recently, too. Thanks for the recommendation, I might just pick it up! I love your writing by the way.

11:05 AM  

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